UEFA Champions League Play-offs
Pafos 1 - 1 FT FK Crvena Zvezda
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Miloš Veljković 33'
Rade Krunić 33'
HT
56' ↓ S. Babicka ↑N. Radonjic
56' ↓ Bruno Duarte ↑M. Arnautovic
M. Ivanic (C. Ndiaye) 60'
↓ M. Orsic ↑Jaja 62'
↓ K. Pileas ↑B. Langa 62'
↓ Anderson Silva ↑M. Bassouamina 68'
79' Jajá
86' Bruno
89' Jaja (Pepe)
90'+1 ↓ T. Elsnik ↑A. Katai
90'+1 ↓ M. Ivanic ↑P. Olayinka
↓ Bruno ↑Pedrao 90'+5
90'+8 Pêpê
FT
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Pafos
Midfielders
Matheus
PROVOCATEUR
1
fouls won
1
fouls won
1
Duels Won
0
pens won
Seol Young-Woo
PROVOCATEUR
2
fouls won
2
fouls won
6
Duels Won
0
pens won
V. Milosavljevic
STORMTROOPER
2
shots
2
shots
0
goals
0
on target
M. Veljkovic
STORMTROOPER
2
shots
2
shots
0
goals
1
on target
N. Tiknizyan
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
23%
pass acc
6.9
rating
T. Elsnik
ARCHITECT
3
key passes
3
key passes
0
assists
28%
pass acc
R. Krunic
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
44%
pass acc
6.9
rating
S. Babicka
BRUISER
3
fouls
3
fouls
Yellow
cards
0
tackles
Bruno Duarte
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Ivanic
SNIPER
100%
conversion
100%
conversion
1
goals
1
shots
C. Ndiaye
ARCHITECT
3
key passes
3
key passes
1
assists
14%
pass acc
BENCH
O. Glazer
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
I. Gutesa
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
Rodrigo
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
M. Bajo
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Milson
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
A. Katai
CAMEO
9
minutes
9
minutes
0
touches
None
events
P. Olayinka
CAMEO
9
minutes
9
minutes
4
touches
None
events
V. Kostov
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
N. Stankovic
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
F. Tebo Uchenna
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
N. Radonjic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Arnautovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
FK Crvena Zvezda
Midfielders
N. Michail
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
28%
pass acc
6.5
rating
J. Correia
PROVOCATEUR
4
fouls won
4
fouls won
5
Duels Won
0
pens won
D. Goldar
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Luckassen
PROVOCATEUR
4
fouls won
4
fouls won
6
Duels Won
0
pens won
K. Pileas
NPC
62
minutes
62
minutes
14%
pass acc
6.7
rating
Pepe
PROVIDER
1
assists
1
assists
1
key passes
7
rating
I. Sunjic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Orsic
NPC
62
minutes
62
minutes
12%
pass acc
6.7
rating
V. Dragomir
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
2
tackles
46%
duel win %
Bruno
STORMTROOPER
3
shots
3
shots
0
goals
1
on target
Anderson Silva
NPC
68
minutes
68
minutes
4%
pass acc
6.3
rating
BENCH
P. Petrou
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
A. Papadoudis
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
D. Quina
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
M. Bassouamina
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Jaja
CLUTCH HERO
0
goal time
0
goal time
0
impact
7.7
rating
K. Sema
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
M. Tankovic
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
B. Langa
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pedrao
CAMEO
1
minutes
1
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19/08/2025 | FK Crvena Zvezda | 1 - 2 | Pafos | UEFA Champions League | Stadion Rajko Mit |
19/08/2025
Pafos Win
FK Crvena Zvezda Win
Draw
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Jajá Snatches Champions League Reprieve in Cyprus Thriller
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 47/100. This draw proves that in European football's biggest stage, no lead is safe until the final whistle—a lesson both teams learned the hard way at Alphamega Stadium.
Ivanic's Breakthrough Crumbles in Stoppage Time
M. Ivanic thought he'd delivered the knockout blow for FK Crvena Zvezda in the 60th minute, converting C. Ndiaye's assist to give the Serbian giants a commanding grip on the contest. The intensity shifted decisively in their favour—possession remained locked at 50-50, but Crvena Zvezda's clinical edge suggested they'd cracked the code. Matheus stood firm in goal, producing four saves to keep Pafos breathing, but even his heroics appeared destined to be footnotes to a Serbian victory.
Pafos Refuses to Die
Enter Jajá from the bench. With 89 minutes on the clock and Pafos staring down the stakes of a Champions League defeat, the substitute striker latched onto Pepe's delivery and levelled with a composure that belied the moment's magnitude. The stadium erupted. Crvena Zvezda's grip slipped through their fingers in the cruelest fashion—a draw when victory was within touching distance.
Defensive Solidity Masks Attacking Bluntness
David Goldar anchored Pafos's defence with an outstanding display, his leadership preventing Crvena Zvezda from capitalizing on their territorial control. Both sides mustered 12 shots apiece, but precision remained elusive—Pafos managed five on target from 11 attempts, while Crvena Zvezda's three on-target efforts from 12 shots underscored a shared problem: the final pass, the decisive moment. Possession split evenly at 50-50, yet neither team found the rhythm to dominate. The balance was precarious throughout, tilting towards the Serbian side until that catastrophic final minute.
Key Questions
How did Pafos equalise so late?
Jajá converted Pepe's assist in the 89th minute, denying Crvena Zvezda what appeared a certain victory after Ivanic's 60th-minute opener.
Who was man of the match?
David Goldar (Pafos defender) delivered an outstanding performance, commanding the backline with authority throughout the contest.
What was the turning point?
Jajá's 89th-minute equaliser. Crvena Zvezda dominated after Ivanic's goal but capitulated when it mattered most.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
The Survival Scramble in Cyprus
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 28/100. This playoff encounter at the Alphamega Stadium is less about tactical elegance and more about the sheer desperation of staying alive in Europe’s premier competition.
The Setup
As we approach the match on August 26, 2025, the pressure is reaching a breaking point. Pafos currently sits in 26th place, just two spots below the critical top-24 playoff line. Their Form has been inconsistent, managing only one win in six outings, which puts their continental Stakes at an all-time high. For the visitors, FK Crvena Zvezda, this is an opportunity to exploit a home side that has struggled with defensive Balance throughout the league stage. Every tackle and every transition will carry the weight of a season-defining moment.
Key Battle
The outcome will likely be decided in the transition phase. Without individual stars dominating the headlines, the battle shifts to the home midfield against the away back line. Pafos has struggled to convert possession into goals, and they face a Crvena Zvezda defensive unit that excels at absorbing pressure before launching direct counter-attacks. If the Cypriot side cannot find a clinical edge, they risk being picked apart on the break in a match where a single mistake could signal the end of their Champions League journey.
Our Prediction
Expect a cagey, high-tension affair where neither side wants to blink first. Pafos will likely dominate the ball but struggle to breach a disciplined defensive block. We foresee a match defined by physical duels rather than fluid play, eventually settling into a 1-1 draw that leaves everything hanging in the Balance for the return leg.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Yes, if you enjoy high-stakes tension and teams fighting for their competitive lives.
What's the predicted outcome?
A gritty 1-1 draw at the Alphamega Stadium.
Where are Pafos and FK Crvena Zvezda in the league table?
Pafos is 26th with 6 points; Crvena Zvezda is fighting for a top-24 spot.
What is Pafos's current form?
Their recent record is LDWDL, showing significant inconsistency.
What does this mean for survival?
A loss for Pafos effectively ends their hopes of reaching the knockout playoffs.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.